Pressure valve and condenser



Jun 3, 1930- KARMAZIN 1,761,396

PRESSURE VALVE AND CONDENSER Filed May 12, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l "IV"129 2? W Z6 June 3, 1930. J. KARMAZIIN 1,761,396

PRESSURE VALVE AND CONDENSER Filed May 12, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 away/*0J'OHN' KARM ZIN- Patented June 3, 1930 JOHN KARMAZIN, OF DETROIT,MICHIGAN PRESSURE VALVE AND CONDENSER Application filed Kay 12,

This invention relates to radiator sealing devices, and is animprovement on the radiator sealing device disclosed in my priorco-pending application Serial No. 716,942,

filed May 31, 1924.

As explained in said prior application, radiators for automotive enginesare ordinarily provided with a vent tube which opens near the top or inthe filling neck of the radiator,

and discharges outside the radiator any'of the cooling fluid whichoverflows into the tube. Since the vent tube is normally open,itprovides a means of escape for the vapor which is formed in theradiator, even under normal operating conditions, thus necessitatingfrequent refilling of the radiator. However, when a fluid having a lowboiling point, such as alcohol, is mixed with water in the radiator, thevaporization of the alcohol is quite rapid, even under normal runningconditions, and the alcohol thus wastes very rapidly through the openvent tube.

In my prior co-pending application above identified, I have disclosed adevice which 5 is effective to close the radiator and prevent the escapeof vapor therefrom under normal conditions, while permitting the escapeof vapor when a quantity has accumulated which is sufficient to create apredetermined pressure. I have. also shown one form of a signal whichserves to indicate when and to what extent vapor is escaping from the'radiator.

sealing device to enable the pressure relieving means to becomeefiective at any desired pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved signal andsignal operating means for indicating when vapor is escaping from theradiator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal adapted toindicate plainly when the pressure in the radiator is excessive, as wellas to indicate when the radiator is slight ly but not dangerouslyoverheated.

A further object of the invention is to pro-- vide a radiator sealingand pressure indicating device which may be easily applied to providemeans for adjusting the radiator- 1925. Serial No. 29,871.

radiator caps andradiator filling necks of ordinary construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator sealingdevice adapted to be contained within the radiator cap of a well knowncar and to be applied thereto without the use of any tools whatever.

. With these and other objects in view, m invention consists in thenovel devices which are shown in the drawing, as illustrativeembodiments of the invention, and will be hereinafter morefullydescribed.

In the drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of my improvedsealing device and indicator, showing the same attached to a radiator;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a modified form of sealing device,designed for use with same form of indicator;

Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in section, of

vice and indicator a standard radiator cap;

Fig. 5 shows a radiator closing device adapted to be placed in theradiator and raapted for use upon a diator cap of a well knownautomobile withoutalteration of the radiator or the cap, and

without the use of tools;

Fig. 6 shows a modification of the device illustrated in Fig. 5,including an adjustable valve control;

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation, in section of a form of pressure valve and acondenser oper atlniin con unct1on therewlth, the radiator also eingindicated;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of a radiator having my condenserattached there- Referring now to Fig. 1, numeral 10 indicates a shallowcup of a comparatively soft metal, such as copper or brass, which isfitted e soldered therein if so desired.

No change in the vent tube with which standard radiators' are providedis necessary, said tubes being sufficiently long and flexible to beraised into the filling neck to the position I have indicated, and nochange in the filling neck 11 is necessary to install the cup 10.

The sealing device comprises a cap 14 which is threaded to the fillingneck, said cap being provided with a boss 15 which is bored to receivethe stem 16 of a valve 17 adapted to seat in a perforation or port inthe radiator closing cup 10. The end of the boss 15 is threaded toreceive the nut 18, and a coil spring 19 is compressed between the valve17 and the nut 18. To prevent the valve from dropping out of the sealingdevice when the cap is removed from the neck 11, a pin 20 extendsthrough a transverse hole near the upper end of the valve stem, the endsof the pin being received in guide slots 21 in the boss 15.

The closing cup 10, cap 14 and the wall of the filling neck define arelief chamber 22 into which the vent tube 13 opens. If vapor is formedrapidly in the radiator, and a certain pressure thus developed, thevalve 17 will be lifted from its seat, against the compression of itsspring 19, permitting the steam-to escape into the relief chamber 22,and thence out through the vent tube 13. The pressure necessary to liftvalve 17 may be varied by adjusting the nut 18.

Means are provided to furnish a visual indication that steam is enteringthe relief chamber 22 and developing pressure therein.

The indicator for this purpose comprises a base 23 which is threadedinto an opening in the cap 14. A passage 24 through said base andopenings 25 in the cap 14 connect an expansible chamber or bellows 26with the relief chamber 22. A signal device, preferably comprising twoparts, 27 and 28, of striking and contrasting colors, is secured to thetop of the expansible chamber 26. A hood or cover 29 which surrounds theexpansible chamber and the signal is provided with a window 30 throughwhich the signals can be observed. When the pressure in chamber 22 isnormal, neither signal is visible. If the signal 27 is visible at window30, it indicates that steam is being formed and is escaping from theradiator with sufficient rapidity to create a slight pressure in chamber22, while the appearance of the signal 28 at window 30 indicates adangerously overheated condition.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated a form of pressure valve contained in a capwhich, together with the fluid chamber closing plate, is adapted to fitthe radiator of a well known automobile. A fluid pressure closing plate31 is placed in the filling neck 32, resting on a shoulder 33 in saidneck. A boss 34 fixed in the upper part of the cap 35, furnishes a guidefor the stem 36 of a valve 37 which the radiator cap, insuring a tightjoint. Passage 44 connects the pressure chamber within the radiator capwith a threaded opening adapted to receive an indicator 45 of the typeshown in Fig. 1, or an ordinary motor-meter.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated another modification of the inventionadapted for ready application to the necks of radiators now in use. Theperforated plate or seat 63, which may be of rubber, soft metal or othersuitable material, is adapted to be placed in the filling neck 64 of theradiator and pushed toward the bottom thereon. A short tube or spout 65of the same size as, and in alignment with, the vent tube 66, extendsdownward from an opening in the closing plate, and a sleeve 67,preferably of rubber tubing, serves to connect tubes 65 and 66. A valve68 secured by a screw 69 to a valve stem 70, is pressed downward by asprin 71 to close a port in the cover plate 63. K ferrule or collar 72placed in the neck above the upturned edge of the cover plate 63, ispressed downward bv engagement with the cap 73, pushing the plate 63 andtube 65 downward toward the overflow or vent tube 66. The cap 73 may besimilar to the cap shown in Fig. 1, and similar pressure indicatingmeans may be attached thereto.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a modification of the device adapted forattachment to the radiator and radiator cap of a well known automobile.The cover plate 46 rests on a shoulder 47 of the filling neck 48. Thevent tube 49 extends through the cover plate and may be soldered thereinif so desired. A gasket 50 overlies the periphery of the cover plate,and contacts with the edge of the cap 51. The stem 52 of the valve 53extends through a boss 54 on a spring abutment plate or spider 55, whichis provided with a peripheral flange 56, shaped to conform to the innersurface of the cap 51. A spring 57, confined between the abutment plate55 and the valve 53, serves to hold the valve on its seat until apressure sufficient to compress the spring is developed in the radiator.The upper end of the valve stem 52 extends through the top of theradiator cap and is threaded to receive the nut 58, which serves toretain the valve in place when the cap is removed, and, likewise, by itsposition with respect to the cap, serves to indicate when the valve hasbeen displaced by steam in the radiator. To install this embodiment ofthe invention in a radiator cap of the type illustrated, it is onlynecessary to drill one hole through the top of the cap and to insert theplate 46 and gasket 50 lnto the filling neck.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a form of sealing device which is similar in manyrespects to that shown in Fig. 4. The valve stem 52,

however, does not extend out through the radiator cap, but'terminateswithin the cap, and receives a nut 60, which contacts with the upperside of the plate 55 and holds the Fig. 9.

valve and plate together. The peripheral flange 56 of plate 55 may besoldered to the radiator cap, but this is optional. It will be seen thatthis device is merely inserted into the standard filling neck and cap,no

.change of any kind being made in either of these members.

As all the parts can be cheaply produced and no skilled labor isnecessary for installation, it will-be apparent that the amount ofalcohol conserved in one year in a cold climate will more than offsetthe purchase and installation price of the device.

The device shown in Fig. 6 may also be inserted into a neck and ca ofordinary construction. In this form, however, provision is made foradjusting the compression spring 57. The boss 54 on the plate 55 isthreaded to receive the adjusting nut 61, against which the springabuts. A pin 62 extending through an elongated slot in the valve stem 52retains the valve in diator cap is removed.

In Figs. 7 to 9 I have shown a condenser and a radiator closing valveespecially adapted to operate in combination with said condenser. Thevent or overflow tube 74 extends through a perforated closing plate 75,the opening in said plate. being covered by a main valve 76, which ispressed downward by a spring 77 compressed between the valve and anadjusting nut 78. The valve stem 79 has the form of a sleeve, which isperforated as shown at 80, and the main valve 76 includes a small portwhich is closed by a return valve 81, whose stem passes through a web82. A spring 83. compressed between the web 82 and an adjusting nut 84,draws the return valve up to close the port in the main valve.

The overflow tube 74 is offset to a point near one side and in the rearof the radiator, and extends downward into a reservoir 85, which isprovided at the bottom with a draincock 86. The reservoir 85 is incommunication with a condenser, or cooling device 85. The cooling devicewhich I have selected for the purpose of illustration, comprises aplurality of fluid passages 87 and radiation fins 88 together withtriangular apertures 88". and at the top has a header 89 whichcommunicates with all the tubes 87. The

place when the ravcondenser may be constructed of fin and tube elementsof the type described in my prior The operation of the radiator,condenser and pressure valve is as follows: When the radiator isoverheated and a pressure created therein, the main valve 76 is lifted,admittin steam to the relief chamber 22 and througii the vent tube 74 tothe reservoir 85. The vapor rising from the reservoir is condensed inthe cooling device 85 and returns to the reservoir 85 as a liquid whichsoon covers the open end of the overflow tube. The circulation of airabout the cooling device is facilitated by its proximity to the fan 95.In case the engine is greatl overheated and steam is formed with sucrapidity that a pressure iscreated in the condenser, the excess steamwill escape by way of the opening 90, and a safety valve, if a safetyvalve is used. When the engine is stopped, or is run idle, thetemperature'of the radiator is quickly reduced, and as the steam in'theradiator condenses, the pressure is reduced and becomes less than thepressure in the condenser; in other words, a partial vacuum is createdin the radiator by the condensation of the steam. Therefore, the returnvalve 81 opens andthe water in the reservoir 85 is sucked back throu hthe vent tube and the return valve into the radiator.

Various modifications and changes canbe made in the embodiments of theinvention herein disclosed without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claims. I

I claim:

1. In an internal combustion engine radiator, a fluid chamber, a venttherefor, means to normally prevent the escape of fluid from saidchamber into said vent, said means being operable at a predeterminedpressure to permit the escape of fluid from said chamber, and means forvarying the )ressure at which the escape of fluid from sald chamber ispermitted.

2. In an internal combustion engine radiator, a fluid chamber, a reliefchamber, a vent tube comn'lunicating with said relief chamber, a valvepermitting the escape of fluid from said fluid chamber to said reliefchamber when the pressure in said fluid chamber exceeds a predeterminedamount, and means for varying the pressure at which escape of fluid intothe relief chamber occurs.

3. In an internal combustion engine radiator, a fluid chamber, a venttube fonpermitting the escape of vapor from sald fluid chamber, meansfor closing said fluid chamber from said vent tube comprising a closingmember for said fluid chamber, a port in said closing member, a valvefor closing said port, a spring pressing said valve into closedposition, means for adjusting said spring, and means for guiding themovement of said valve.

4. In an internal combustion engine radiator comprising a fluid chamberhaving a filling neck and a vent tube extending into said neck, meansfor closing said fluid chamber from said neck comprising a perforatedclosing member adapted to be inserted into said neck and over said venttube, a cap for closing the top of said filling neck, a valve member forclosing the perforation in said closing plate, and adjustable meansassociated with said cap for controlling the movement of said valvemember.

5. In an internal combusion engine radiator comprising a fluid chamberhaving a filling neck and a vent tube extending into said neck, meansfor closing said'fluid chamber from said vent tube comprising aperforated cover plate insertible into said neck and around said venttube, a cap for covering the top of said filling neck, a boss extendingdownward from said cap, a valve for closing the perforation in theclosing plate comprising a stem adapted to be received in said boss, aspring controlling said valve, and means for adJusting said spring.

6. In an internal combustion engine radiator, comprising a fluid chamberhaving a filling neck, and a vent tube extending into said neck, meansfor closingsaid fluid chamber from said vent tube comprising aperforated cover plate insertible into said neck, and around said venttube, a valve adapted to close the perforation in said cover platebut tobe displaced therefrom when the pressure in the fluid chamber exceeds apredetermined amount, and a signal adapted to indicate when said valvehas been lifted;

7. In an internal combustion engine radiator, a fluid chamber, a valveadapted to close said fluid chamber but to be openedwhen the pressure insaid fluid chamber exceeds a predetermined amount, a relief chamber towhich fluid is admitted when said valve ,is opened, a vent tube openinginto said relief chamber, a fluid pressure-operated visual signal, andmeans connecting the signal operat ing means with said chamber;

8. In an internal combustion engine, radiator comprising a fluidchamber, aneck, a

; cap for closing said neck, a valve associated with said cap adapted toclose said fluid chamber but to be displaced when-the pressure in saidchamber exceeds a predetermined amount, a relief chamber to which fluidis admitted when said valve is so'displaced, a fliud reduced.

pressure operated signal secured to said cap, and a passage through saidcap admittlng fluid from said relief chamber to said signal.

9. A radiator closing device compnsing a perforated closing plate, amain valve closing the perforation in said plate, a port in the bod ofsaid main valve, and a return valve closmg said port, said return valve0 ening opposite to said main valve under uid pressure.

10. A radiator closing device adapted to be easily attached to existingradiators comprising a check valve ad aptedto be opened by increasedpressure within the radiator, and a return valve adapted to be opened byreduction of pressure within the radiator, an overflow pipe in saidradiator, said overflow pipe acting as a vent.

11. Ina radiator comprising a filling'neck closed by a cap and a venttube extending into said neck, a closing device comprising a closingplate which, with said cap, defines a relief chamber in communicationwith said vent tube, a valve associated with said closing plate adaptedto open when the pressure in the radiator exceeds a predeterminedamount, thereby permitting the overflow of the radiator fluid into thevent tube, and a second valveadapted to open when the pressure in theradiator is reduced a predetermined amount, thereby permitting thereturn of the fluid to said radiator.

12.- In an internal combustion engine radiator, comprising a fluidchamber and an overflow tube, means for closing said fluid chamher fromsaid overflow tube adapted to' open when the pressure in said fluidchamber exceeds-a predetermined amount, a condenser associated with saidoverflow tube adapted to condense and retain the fluid -which'.es-'

capes from said radiator when said' closing -means is openedby pressurewithinthe radiator, andlmeans' whereby the fluid in said condenser isreturned to said radiator when the pressure in said radiator issubsequently 13. In an internal combustion engine radiator,COIf(1pI1S1I1g a fluid chamber, an overflow tube, means forclosing saidchamber from said overflow tube'comprising a valve adapted to open whenthe pressure in, said fluid chamber exceeds a' predetermined amount, acondenser associated with the over.- flow tube for condensing andretaining the fluid which escapes from the fluid chamber when said valveis opened, and means, including a second valve, adapted to be openedwhen the pressure in said radiator is subsequently reduced wherebythe'condensed fluid is returned to said radiator.

14. An internal combustion-engine radiator comprising a, closure valve,an overflow tube, a condenser associated with the out-let endof saidtube, said condenser comprising a plurallty of superposed fin and tubeforming elements, and means to permit the return of condensate throughthe closure valve. 15. An internal combustion engine radiator comprisingan overflow tube and a condenser associated with the outlet end of saidoverflow tube, said condenser comprising a reservoir into which theoutlet end of said overflow tube extends, a cooling device comprising aplurality of fluid passages in communication with said reservoir, anoutlet from said condenser, and signal means to indicate conditions whenthe condenser is being operated.

16. An internal combustion engine radi- M ator comprising an overflowtube and a c0ndenser associated with the outlet end of said tube, saidcondenser comprising a reservoir into which said overflow tube extends,a cool ing element comprising a fluid passage and radiation fins, asafety valve associated with said condenser, and means for visualindication of the operation of the condenser.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature to this specification.JOHN KARMAZIN.

